The New Mercedes-Benz S-Class
It was getting late and the clouds were overshadowing the horizons. The objective was to secure and deliver the package safely. The target was a pickup in the city area later in the night. Mobility was in question as time was the essence and the package had to be handled with care. Headquarters relayed the time and location for the rendezvous. The transport had to be fast, sleek, and bold. Headquarters could not have done it better by sending a black new Mercedes Benz S-Class and it was their first ever top of the line local assembled car with a massive V8 engine.
Driving in the night into the golden triangle area, the all new Mercedes S 500 L was stalking the roads unnoticed. Invisible to the human eye, two infrared headlamps illuminate the road giving clear sight of what is ahead even in the dark. A standard feature in all the new S 500 L, this innovative night view assist allowed night vision even in pure darkness. An eight-inch multifunction display in the instrument cluster depicted the roads which was the guide for the night.
The power plant is an all new 5.5 litre 8 cylinder engine generating 285 kW/388 hp and is amongst the most powerful in its displacement class. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 26% more output and 15% more torque compared to the preceding series. Fuel consumption has been further reduced by 9%. The technical sheet looked impressive and much engineering went into building this fast goliath. Nearing the location, another vehicle pulled up alongside provoking the eight cylinder engine’s existence. Pushing the pedal to the metal and a roaring V8 engine over takes the inciter by smoking the bogey senseless. A 5.4 second car from zero to hundred was almost like a fighter jet on the road.
Reaching the main target area which was the hotel lobby, the car was perched next to the main entrance and waited in silence. The S 500 L was equipped with a new COMMAND control and display system. Cockpit Management and Data Systems or COMMAND, featured a hard-disc-based navigation system and it detailed the exact position of the car featuring a 3D map function. Equipped with a high-end TV Tuner, Harman / Kardon Logic7 Surround System, and a 6-Disc DVD Changer with capabilities for MP3, CD/DVD, and VCD, this was moving theatre with 2 additional monitors in the rear cabin. Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in the background kept the harmony for the night.
The neo-politan clock showed my prompt arrival for the pick up. Personal comfort was beyond imagination with a 12-way front electrical seat adjustment. Improving this multicontour technology further, the seat contoured according to seating positions while driving. The seats respond rapidly by improving dynamic contouring thru steering inputs, angle, lateral acceleration and road speed. Piezo valves vary the inflation pressures and volume the air chambers to enhance lateral support inside the seats. The target was still late to transporter, an urgent call had to be made with the S 500 L’s mobile communicator (in-built mobile phone).
The Bluetooth enabled mobile phone pushed thru with ease. The package came down from the hotel lobby, and got into the transporter. It was no surprise that the target was astonished with the black sleek lines and high tech design. With no time to waste, the next location was back to headquarters. Pushing the Mercedes S 500L thru the roads again, was indeed a true test of the transporter’s dynamism and superb handling. Straight lining thru the fast bends, the bodyshell had inner components to retain its static torsional rigidity. Half of its components were made of high-tech steel alloys for maximum strength with minimum weight – an unprecedented level in top level car engineering.
Equipped with a 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic transmission, the close ratio gear changes were virtually imperceptible. Pushing thru its paces, the 7G-Tronic is operated by means of a DIRECT SELECT steering-column gear selector. Split second decision and going flat out, 3 different modes depicted the nature of drive, Comfort, Sport or Manual. Engaging into Sport Mode for speed, the gears upshifted at a higher RPM and the roar of the engine showed robust and aggression. The suspension settings switched to a more direct and dynamic response under this mode. Making it turn better, drive harder, and go quicker.
Exiting the city and headed towards the suburbs, the S 500 L could now slow down as headquarters was nearing in sight. The package comfortably seated in the seat, evaluated the S 500 L spec sheet. Headquarters was about 10 metres away when the package broke the silence after a thrilling twenty minute ride. This car cost approximately RM998,888.00, said Ivan my brother who was ironically the ‘package’. As we pulled up along my driveway, reality started to set in and fiction or non-fiction, it is rare for power to feel this smooth. For more details on this car do log onto www.mercedes-benz.com.my
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